Connor Bedard’s presence should give a boost to the Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks haven't gotten off to the start they wanted, but there is a pretty important player who hasn't been in the lineup yet. Connor Bedard is still dealing with his injury, and once he is healthy, Chicago should get a pretty big boost.

Bedard is going to be the best player on this Blackhawks roster when he is healthy. That isn't really a knock on anyone else, either. He was the first overall pick for a reason, and Chicago has been building around him since he arrived in the NHL.

Bedard is a huge piece of the Blackhawks' success

His absence has made the slow start a little easier to understand. Chicago still has to play better, but taking your best player out of the lineup will affect any team. The Blackhawks haven't had Bedard to help create offense or take pressure off the rest of the forwards.

There is also more talent around him this season than there has been in the past. Patrick Kane returning to Chicago gives the Blackhawks another experienced forward who can create offense and take some of the pressure off Bedard. That could be pretty important for him. He has had to carry a lot of the attention since entering the NHL, and Chicago hasn't always had enough around him to make things easier. Having Kane and some of the other additions around him should give Bedard more players to work with when he gets back.

The Blackhawks still have to get back on track while he is out. They can't assume Bedard's return will fix every problem, especially if the team keeps struggling defensively or has issues throughout the lineup. At the same time, his return should change the way Chicago looks. Bedard can create offense in ways few others on this roster can, and putting him back in the lineup gives the Blackhawks another player opposing teams have to worry about.

It also gives the younger players around him a better chance to succeed. Instead of asking everyone to create their own offense, Chicago can lean on Bedard while players like Frank Nazar continue to develop. Kane can help with that as well, both with what he brings on the ice and the experience he has around the younger players.

For Chicago, the slow start isn't ideal, but there is still a pretty big reason to believe things can change. Getting Bedard back would give the Blackhawks their best player and put him into a lineup, which is the best overall lineup he has been a part of since entering the NHL.

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